Understanding Social Networks

Theories, Concepts, and Findings

Charles Kadushin

Fills a serious gap in the literature in the rapidly growing field of social networks.

Understanding Social Networks

Theories, Concepts, and Findings

Charles Kadushin

Description

Despite the swift spread of social network concepts and their applications and the rising use of network analysis in social science, there is no book that provides a thorough general introduction for the serious reader. Understanding Social Networks fills that gap by explaining the big ideas that underlie the social network phenomenon. Written for those interested in this fast moving area but who are not mathematically inclined, it covers fundamental concepts, then discusses networks and their core themes in increasing order of complexity. Kadushin demystifies the concepts, theories, and findings developed by network experts. He selects material that serves as basic building blocks and examples of best practices that will allow the reader to understand and evaluate new developments as they emerge. Understanding Social Networks will be useful to social scientists who encounter social network research in their reading, students new to the network field, as well as managers, marketers, and others who constantly encounter social networks in their work.

Understanding Social Networks

Theories, Concepts, and Findings

Charles Kadushin

Table of Contents

Preface

1) Introduction

-Getting Connected -Networks as Information Maps -Leaders and Followers -Networks as Conduits -The Point of View

2) Basic Network Concepts, Part I: Individual Members of Networks

-Introduction -What Is a Network? -Sociological Questions about Relationships Connections Propinquity Homophily Individual-Level Homophily Homophily and Collectivities -Dyads and Mutuality -Balance and Triads -Where We Are Now

3) Basic Network Concepts, Part II: Whole Social Networks

-Distributions Dyads and Triads Density Structural Holes Weak Ties -"Popularity" or Centrality -Distance Size of the Interpersonal Environment The "Small World" -Multiplexity -Roles and Positions Named Positions and Relationships Informal Positions and RelationshipsInformal Relations and Hierarchies Embeddedness of the Informal within Instituted or Named Networks Observed Roles -Summary

4) Basic Network Concepts, Part III: Network Segmentation

-Introduction -Named and Unnamed Network Segments Primary Groups, Cliques, and Clusters -Segmenting Networks from the Point of View of the Observer Segmenting Groups on the Basis of Cohesion Resistance to Disruption Structural Similarity and Structural Equivalence Core/Periphery Structures -Where We Are Now

5) The Psychological Foundations of Social Networks

-Getting Things Done -Community and Support -Safety and Affiliation -Effectiveness and Structural Holes -Safety and Social Networks -Effectiveness and Social Networks -Both Safety and Effectiveness? -Driving for Status or Rank -Cultural Differences in Safety, Effectance, and Rank -Motivations and Practical Networks -Motivations of Corporate Actors -Cognitive Limits on Individual Networks -Where We Are Now

6) Small Groups, Leadership, and Social Networks: The Basic Building Blocks

-Introduction -Primary Groups and Informal Systems: Propositions -Pure Informal Systems -How to Find Informal Systems -Asymmetric Ties and the Influence of the External System -Formalizing the System -Where We Are Now

7) Organizations and Networks

-The Contradictions of Authority -Emergent Networks in Organizations The Factory Floor -Information-Driven Organizations -Inside the Box, Outside the Box, or Both -Bridging the Gaps: Tradeoff s between Network Size, Diversity, and Social Cohesion -Where We Are Now

8) The Small World, Circles, and Communities

-Introduction -How Many People Do You Know? -The Skewed Distribution of the Number of People One Knows -Formal Small World Models -Clustering in Social Networks -Social Circles -The Small World Search -Applications of Small World Theory to Smaller Worlds -Where We Are Now

9) Networks and Diffusion

-Networks and Diffusion-An Introduction The Basic Model Exogenous Factors in the Adoption of Innovation - Influence and Decision-Making The Current State of Personal Influence Self-Designated Opinion Leaders or Influentials Characteristics of Opinion Leaders and Influentials Group Influence -Epidemiology and Network Diffusion Social Networks and Epidemiology Social Networks and HIV-AIDS Transporting Disease-Large-Scale Models -Tipping Points and Thresholds Threshold- Where We Are Now

10) Networks as Social Capital

- Introduction The General Idea of Social Capital Social Capital as Investment -Individual-Level Social Capital Social Support Individual Networked Resources: Position and Resource Generators Correlates of Individual Social Capital Other Indicators of Networked Resources -Social Capital as an Attribute of Social Systems Theorists of Social System Social Capital Bowling Alone Recent Findings on Social System Social Capital and Its Consequences -Where We Are Now

11) Ethical Dilemmas of Network Research

-Networks as a Research Paradigm -Anonymity, Confidentiality, Privacy, and Consent -Who Benefits- Cases and Examples Survey Research Organization Research Terrorists and Criminals Networks and Terrorism: The CASOS Projects -Conclusion: More Complicated than the Belmont Report

12) Coda: Ten Master Ideas of Social Networks

-Introduction -The Ten Master Ideas

Bibliography Notes Index

Understanding Social Networks

Theories, Concepts, and Findings

Charles Kadushin

Author Information

Charles Kadushin is Distinguished Scholar at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Professor of Sociology at Brandeis University and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the CUNY Graduate Center.He is the author of seven books, including The American Intellectual Elite and Books: The Culture and Commerce of Publishing.

Understanding Social Networks

Theories, Concepts, and Findings

Charles Kadushin

Reviews and Awards

"[I]ntegrates the history, theories, and substantive applications of social network analysis... should be especially accessible to neophytes... Despite the nontechnical treatment, Kadushin encompasses deep analytic coverage and broad empirical research...The final chapter summarizes the conceptual tour de force in 'Ten Master Ideas of Social Networks.'" --David Knonke, Contemporary Sociology

"Finally! A sociologically informed and compelling introduction to social network analysis by one of the giants of the field. While there has been dramatic recent growth in the study of networks, new entrants often miss much of the rich history and compelling social theory that has been the field's foundation. This book represents an introduction to networks for social scientists and students looking to learn the 'why' of social network analysis, rather than computational detail. An all-around gem that should take a canonical place in social network courses." --James Moody, Duke University

"Social networks are more than Facebook or a set of methods. Charles Kadushin is a veteran in thinking about what social networks do and what they mean. This thoughtful book provides a host of knowledge about how social networks operate in small groups, organizations and throughout society. Kadushin's ten master ideas distill the essence of social networks." --Barry Wellman, S.D. Clark Professor of Sociology, University of Toronto

"In Understanding Social Networks Charles Kadushin dispels the myth that social network research is simply methodology. The book is chock full of ideas that lay out vast terrains ripe for future research and exploration. All of the ideas are buttressed with historical documentation and developed within the context of existing social, psychological, economic, and other theories. Bravo!" --Thomas Valente, University of Southern California

"Charles Kadushin is one of the sociologists who pioneered social network analysis and he has continued to make stimulating, thoughtful contributions. His new book provides a lucid, revealing introduction to the basic ideas and findings of the social networks field." --Claude S. Fischer, University of California, Berkeley

"He now caps a distinguished scholarly career with an exposition that integrates the history, theories, and substantive applications of social network analysis. ... Through his numerous insights into the origins and evolution of social network analysis over the past half century, Charles Kadushin demonstrates once again the deep wisdom of that great public philosopher, Yogi Berra, who noted, "You can observe a lot by watching." --Contemporary Sociology

"Kadushin is clearly a seasoned master in social network analysis, and this book is proof of his ability to continue to be relevant in the field... The book is fabulously concise, which will be appreciated by instructors who wish to assign supplementary reading to their students... Highly recommended." --CHOICE